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Six for Sunday: Penn State football's guide to a successful offseason

Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg

Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg threw for 339 yards and four touchdowns in the Lions' 31-24 upset win at Wisconsin to lock up The Big Ten Freshman of the Year award. Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com

With Penn State's 2013 season in the books following a memorable 31-24 win at Wisconsin last Saturday, it's time to turn our attention to what should be an interesting offseason for Bill O'Brien and his Lions.

There are a lot of questions to be answered, perhaps none bigger than this: What will junior star wide receiver Allen Robinson decide?

The two-time first-team All-Big Ten choice is coming off a 97-catch, 1,423-yard season. He is clearly an NFL-caliber player. Will Robinson return to State College or declare early for the NFL draft?

There is a lot for O'Brien, who will be entering his third year as PSU's leader, to get to in the coming months. PSU's win over ranked Wisconsin was impressive but the Lions were erratic after a 2-0 start, alternating wins and losses. And Penn State was just 1-3 on the road in the Big Ten.

There were plenty of positives, too.

But if I were establishing a to-do list for O'Brien and Penn State, the following six items would be near the top.

Starting with …

1. FILL THE VOIDS. Penn State is currently down two coaches at the moment after the program announced longtime linebackers coach Ron Vanderlinden and second-year quarterbacks coach Charlie Fisher had resigned.

The announcement occurred early in the week and O'Brien stated he will not comment on the search until after the jobs have been filled.

PSU is losing a good one in Vanderlinden, who had been on the staff since 2001. He is very widely respected as a position coach and he might be an even better recruiter.

The Lions have a pretty good quarterbacks coach in Bill O'Brien, who is also the team's play-caller. Head coach. Offensive coordinator. I wonder if O'Brien may decide to assume the QB-coaching duties and use the opening to hire an assistant who can help PSU in another area.

2. WORK OUT THE KINKS. Penn State isn't exactly loaded with scholarship players at the moment as a result of NCAA sanctions. And the shortage has likely affected the special teams' play. The kicking game simply isn't good enough.

Penn State head coach Bill O'Brien chats up Wisconsin's Gary Andersen prior to the Lions' 31-24 upset win in Madison. It figures to be an interesting 2014 offseason for O'Brien and his team. Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com

PSU allowed two kick-return scores late in the season (Purdue, Nebraska) and the long gain generated by the Lions' returners (kickoff, punt) was just 44 yards.

Lions punter Alex Butterworth averaged just 39.2 yards per kick and the team had two punts blocked.

PSU placekicker Sam Ficken started the season strong. His final numbers included 15 makes in 23 attempts and he was 4 of 9 from 40 yards and longer. Ficken also had two kicks blocked.

There is plenty of room for improvement.

3. KEEP THEM COMING. Penn State must continue to recruit well. The 2014 class includes 16 verbals as of Friday morning and the Lions are in deep on promising defensive tackle prospect Thomas Holley.

PSU is in need of a speed infusion in several areas and I wonder how many players can help next fall.

It's important the Lions keep this class together and there is no reason to think they won't.

One player who has become more important is QB recruit Michael O'Connor of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla.. With Tyler Ferguson planning to transfer, Christian Hackenberg is the only scholarship QB on the roster.

4. MORE OF THE SAME. I think it's a big offseason for a number of young players who began to contribute big plays down the stretch of 2013.

Penn State true freshman tight end Adam Breneman should see an expanded role in 2014 after he scored a touchdown in each of the Lions' last three games. Joe Hermitt, PennLive.com

True freshman tight end Adam Breneman caught a touchdown pass in each of the Lions' last three games.

True freshman outside linebacker Brandon Bell was flying around the field the last few games and looks like a top candidate to start in the fall.

And redshirt freshman wideout Eugene Lewis caught two touchdown passes in the Wisconsin win, providing Hackenberg with an another outside target to trust other than Allen Robinson.

All three players look like they will really help the team in 2014. And there may be others. It's an important winter and spring for the above trio.

5. IDENTIFY YOUR KEEPERS. Penn State must replace a number of key players -- first-team All-Big Ten picks John Urschel (right guard) and DaQuan Jones (defensive tackle) top the list and middle linebacker Glenn Carson was another valuable Lion.

Who will step in for these players? And does O'Brien have an offensive tackle he can pair with Donovan Smith? Adam Gress' time is up. Does this provide an opportunity for young Andrew Nelson, the Hershey High School grad who redshirted in 2013?

6. EXTRA TIME, STUDY TIME FOR NO. 14. True freshman quarterback Christian Hackenberg had a memorable first year at Penn State, a year he capped with a monster effort in the Wisconsin win (339 yards, 4 TDs.

Hackenberg was named The Big Ten Freshman of the Year and it's an honor made more noteworthy considering Hackenberg didn't enroll early. His first practice with the team was in August.

What is Hackenberg capable of after spending an offseason with strength and conditioning coach Craig Fitzgerald and a spring with Bill O'Brien?